THE WASHINGTON ROWING MAGAZINE 2019 ANNUAL REPORT SEASON REVIEW Volume 28 / Fall 2019 IN THIS ISSUE PHOTO: Richard Ersted Women’s Season Review . 3 The Washington Huskies celebrate their 2019 Team Point Champions “The Ten Eyck Trophy” Men’s Season Review . 4 for the 12th time in 13 years at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship. Cal Dual . 5 Windermere Cup . 6 Pac-12 Championship . 7 IRA Championship . 8 NCAA Championship . .. 9 Academic Achievements . .. 10 Off the Water . 11 National Team 2019 . 12 Women’s Rowing History . 13 Last words before the Class of 2022 Grunties race the Cal Dual on the Montlake Cut. Winning by open water! Stewards’ Letter . 16 Financial Overview . 17 Endowments . .. 18 Annual Drive and Donors . 19 Board of Stewards . 25 In Memoriam . 26 Out and About . 27 ON THE COVER The Washington women unite and celebrate after sweeping The Washington women celebrate the 2019 NCAA Championship in Indianapolis, IN. PHOTO: Alika Jenner their 2019 NCAA Championship victory at Conibear Shellhouse . Washington won its fifth NCAA title in Indianapolis, IN after sweeping the varsity eight, the second varsity eight and varsity four, as well as setting NCAA records in all three events . This was Washington’s second NCAA sweep . The Huskies are the only team to accomplish this feat, having done it for the first time in 2017 . Photo by Scott Eklund, Red Box Pictures . It’s a tradition! The victorious Huskies sing “Bow Down DESIGN: DavidOwenHastings .com to Washington” after being officially crowned 2019 NCAA Champions. PHOTO: Alika Jenner 2 SWEEP The Washington Rowing Magazine PHOTO: Meagan K . Smith WOMEN’S SEASON REVIEW “Sheer human will.” BY YAZ FAROOQ omeone asked me immediately after the NCAA credo that every person on this team matters, as they Championship how our varsity eight rowed from have at this university for decades before us . I watched S last place to first in the final 500 meters of the with pure joy as the rest of the squad sang the fight closest varsity eight final in NCAA history. “Sheer human song to the 3V to thank them for bringing home the will .” That was my answer . Those three words also sum Conference title . up how we forged through one of the toughest seasons Two weeks later, on the eve of the NCAA final, we talked a team could face . about how this was the first time in history that five First, I want to thank everyone who reached out after teams had qualified all three boats for the grand final. senior Anna Thornton suffered a traumatic brain injury The field was the deepest it had ever been. We talked in November . Erin O’Connell and Jane Powers served about how amazing this was for our sport, but also for as the front line for every need, with parents, admin- the challenge that was before us, for being tested like we istrators and friends of the program all stepping up had never been tested before . I looked around the room to help family and friends at the hospital, along with and everyone was beaming, literally glowing . You could support and encouragement for everyone back at the feel the anticipation and excitement about the oppor- boathouse . You were our backbone during that time . tunity to put forth our best race yet . We talked about The Washington Rowing family is greater and stronger you, our alums, everyone back in Seattle and in the state than I ever imagined . of Washington, our faithful supporters and stakeholders, who have stood by us through thick and thin . A tragic event like this brings perspective . The most challenging workouts became about “sticking together” The next day, as the varsity eight was charging to victory over suffering. Compassion took a front seat in how we fueled by calls for their teammates and trust in one approached everything . We openly talked about the another, the second varsity eight and varsity four were emotions we were dealing with as we worked our way warming up for their own races of a lifetime . towards the season, one day at a time, one stroke at a The common denominator in all three races: no time . Our humanity made us stronger . The only way Husky crew led off the start—a stark contrast to that we were going to get to the season, much less make it unforeseen sweep of 2017 . Instead, one at a time, each a meaningful one, was to do it together with love and boat rowed into the lead in the back half of the race, at compassion . the critical moment, getting their bowball ahead when it The season began . Through Las Vegas, the San Diego mattered most. All three finals were for the ages. It took Crew Classic, Las Vegas again and then the Cal dual, NCAA record times to win each race, with the two eights there were wins and losses . We saw each race as an coming down to less than a second . opportunity to learn, to grow, to strengthen our bond, I still can’t quite wrap my arms around the feelings that to find a way to give more as we worked toward the overcame me when I realized we had swept the NCAA’s, championships . but I’ll try: JOY for what the entire team had accom- The concept of being the strongest team top to bottom plished together, RELIEF that such a challenging year has always been at the heart of Washington rowing . culminated in something tangible that symbolized what The strength and depth of our team proved itself when they had been through together, LOVE for an amazing the Pac-12 Championship title came down to our third group of women who stuck together and believed in one varsity eight, nine women hurtling their boat out of the another, and GRATITUDE for this amazing family that blocks and leading the charge the whole 2000 meters to we call Washington Rowing . Thank you, on behalf of our break a three-way tie for first. That Pac-12 victory was staff, Josh, Maggie, Julia, Meagan—and Colin—for letting earned by one half of a point . It also brought home our us guide this team . WASHINGTONROWING.COM 3 MEN’S SEASON REVIEW Perspective of Success BY MICHAEL CALLAHAN PHOTOS: Scott Eklund e hit our goal. We had a very strong final race could take us to the top of the podium at the IRA National in the 2019 IRA Men’s Varsity 8 . It went as Championship . I am deeply proud of the senior class for W planned: We started fast, found a solid base leading the way and setting an example of excellence and rhythm, Extended Ourselves in the middle thousand, putting team before self. Off the water, seventeen team and finished strong. It wasn’t enough to be the fastest members were named to first and second team all PAC12 boat on the water that day, but it was what we had honors and nine on the IRA All-Academic Team . worked for, having our best race on the last day of the While we remained focused on our team achievements season. Equally important, it also secured Washington and goals, I would be remiss to leave out two huge its 12th team point trophy (the “Ten Eyck”) in the last 13 individual accomplishments from Husky oarsmen this years . In those same 13 years, it was the 12th time our year . Senior Captain Ben Davidson won the men’s Varsity 8+ had been 1st or 2nd . championship single at the Head of the Charles, defeating At this year’s IRA, we walked away with two golds and Olympic champions and becoming the first current two silvers . I know there may be some lingering disap- collegiate athlete on record to do it. This winter, junior pointment over our results at the IRA, but I want to take Simon Van Dorp turned in the fastest recorded 6k ever this opportunity to remind you, our supporters, how submitted to Concept2 and the second fastest 2k in much you have helped us accomplish and how proud history. His times: 18:13.2 (6k) and 5:36.4 (2k). That is fast! everyone should be of how high we have raised the bar These are huge achievements, but we know the power of for Washington Rowing . our team is what sets Washington apart in a crowded field. We were undefeated in the Varsity eight this year Athletic development and experience are key components including a dramatic victory in the California Dual . If you of that success . With your investment in the best boats, were one of the many who Packed the Cut that day, we cutting edge technology, incredible racing, etc . This helps want to thank you for providing an amazing atmosphere accelerate the development process of our students for our students . It was a real test of our resilience as compared to our rivals . We feel like we are the class of the Husky oarsmen . The team showed its depth by sweeping field in this arena but are always looking for opportunities California in all events on Montlake . to keep our edge in a highly competitive landscape . We started a new tradition by running a Montlake We are also working hard to make sure we are giving Night Sprints the evening before Opening Day and the our incredible fans and supporters the best race day Windermere Cup . The team’s depth was showcased by experience in the country . We believe this goes hand the second varsity eight winning the sprint . The varsity in hand with our commitment to honor and celebrate eight again showed the ability to rebound by coming our student athletes and the sport itself .